Case Study: Establishing telemedicine services at selected provincial hospitals Background Use of Information and Communication Technology offers optimal option to increase accessibility and availability of health services. Telemedicine in DPR Korea has great advantage of reducing the burden on individual patients and public health management in the geographical context. (80% territory being mountainous). Telemedicine can facilitate improved access to quality diagnosis and treatment of diseases with limited resources.
Addressing the need in telemedicine Over the last three years, the WHO Country office for DPR Korea technically assisted the Ministry of Public Health, in phased implementation of this flagship project. Initially only three sites were established following a detailed assessment and feasibility study, including provision of adequate bandwidth through partnership with the telecommunication ministry. After promising results, the project was expanded to cover all provincial-level health facilities. By the end of 2010, Kimanyu Hopsital in Pyongyang was connected to all provincial general hospitals. During this preliminary expansion, WCO facilitated technical support including visits by experts who Tele Education session between centre and Province supervised establishment of new sites, development of a user guide and standard operating manuals, formats for collecting information on patient records, log books and training of focal points for 10 new sites.
How did this help the health workers? A number of consultations between provincial and central hospitals took place, resulting in savings of referrals from provinces to Kimanyu Hospital. At the same time, experts/specialists advice could be made available to patients from remote areas. During this period, the programme managers explored expanded use of telemedicine facilities and successfully carried out technical consultations and training of health care professionals.
Quick facts ¾ National and 9 provincial hospitals connected with telemedicine facilities 3600 physicians benefited due to improvement in diagnosis and treatment practices 12,000 patients from provincial and county hospitals are annually consulted through telemedicine The project was supported with WHO SEARO special funding and support from SIDA
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Transmission of X-Ray for expert advice
The Flagship Project on Telemedicine in DPR Korea support doctors and their patients with improved access to quality care for patients from remote areas